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When classical music lover Jasmine Delaney accepts a
gig to play her violin in a small town, she arrives in
time to join in the festivities of the local Bar-B-Q
Festival. But when she checks into the hotel, Jazzy is
in for a few unpleasant surprises--like a body in the
bathtub covered in barbeque sauce. Not even the soothing
strains of Mozart can still her jangled
nerves--especially when it seems the killer is intent on
making her the next victim! The killer has had a
taste of murder…and is hungry for more.
I’m excited to announce the release of my
latest mystery/suspense novel, A Taste of Murder.
This book has a very special place in my heart since it is
dedicated to a dear friend, and her husband who passed away
a few months ago. They were with me when I first attended
the International Bar-B-Q Festival in Owensboro, Kentucky
almost twenty years ago, and even way back then I knew it
would be the perfect setting for a book. I was right. When
you read it, you’ll be able to smell the smoky barbeque
sauce and taste the tangy Kentucky specialty – burgoo.
What? You’ve never heard of burgoo?
Then you absolutely must read this book!
A Taste of Murder
goes on sale this month, and is available
wherever books are sold. With a cover price of $5.50, it’s
an affordable and fun read. Buy a copy from your local
bookseller, and while you’re at it, ask them to order an
extra one for the shelves! If you shop at Walmart, look for
it in the Harlequin section.
To read an excerpt from the first chapter,
visit my website
here.
My Books So Far
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Advance Reviews
"A Taste of Murder is a delightful read. ...
Virginia Smith dishes up strong characters, a viable plot
and a warm, effective conclusion. " -- Romantic Times
(a 4-star review!)
“I just finished your book A Taste of Murder.
It was GREAT!!!!! Can't wait for the sequel.” – a reader
comment, submitted through
www.virginiasmith.org
“This was a good mystery… well written and easy to read.
The author developed lively characters and she described the
setting so well that you thought you were there.” --
Book
Bargains and Previews
“What a great book! I loved it from the first page to the
last. Thanks for another terrific story.” – a reader
comment, submitted through
www.virginiasmith.org
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What in the World is
Burgoo?
Liz wrinkled her nose as she,
too, pushed into the room. “What is burgoo?”
Jazzy grinned at her. “Your
Oregon roots are showing. Every good Kentuckian knows
what burgoo is.”
“It’s sort of a stew,” Caitlin
explained. “It’s made with several different kinds of
meat and vegetables and spices. People in Kentucky,
especially in mountains and small towns like Waynesboro,
are as proud of their secret burgoo recipes as Texans
are of their chili recipes.”
“I like chili.” Liz tossed her
suitcase on a bed. “What kind of meat’s in it?”
Jazzy followed them inside past
the closed bathroom door. “Well, here’s what an old guy
from eastern Kentucky told me when I asked that
question.” She affected a hillbilly drawl. “Hit’s got
whatever road kill we pick up ‘at day. Coon. Squirrel.
Possum burgoo makes good eatin’, long as it ain’t bin
layin’ there more’n a day or two.”
Liz’s mouth twisted. “That is
disgusting.”
(from A
Taste of Murder)
The first time I heard of
burgoo, the description given to me was exactly the one
Jazzy gives in A Taste of Murder. In fact, it was
described to me as “Road Kill Stew.” I turned up my nose and
had no desire to sample it. But that was before I tasted
authentic Kentucky burgoo – YUM! I love it. It’s like a
smoked meat and vegetable stew, the spicier the better.
The best burgoo, in my
humble opinion, is found in the hills of Kentucky. People
really do guard their recipes as closely-held family
secrets. But I found a recipe that comes very, very close to
the best burgoo I’ve ever eaten. It isn’t easy. There are no
shortcuts. But if you really want to prepare authentic
Kentucky Burgoo, here’s a recipe I found online:
Kentucky Burgoo Recipe
Ingredients
4 lbs. mutton
2 lbs. chicken
1 lb pork, smoked and then ground
¾ lb. cabbage ground or chopped fine
¾ lb. onion ground or chopped fine
5 lbs. potatoes peeled and diced
2-17 oz. can corn
¾ cup tomato ketchup
3-10 ¾ oz. can tomato puree
Juice of one lemon
¾ cup distilled vinegar
½ cup Worcestershire sauce
2 ½ tablespoon salt or more to taste
2 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne (more if you like)
Water
Ginny’s Note: Wild game adds a unique
taste, and lends authenticity to the reputation of “road
kill stew”
J
Directions: Boil
mutton in enough water to cover it. Cook until tender, about
2-3 hours. Throw out the broth and bones. Chop meat fine.
Set aside boiled chicken in 2 gallons of water in large
kettle until tender. Grind smoked pork and combine with
mutton. Add potatoes, cabbage, onion, corn, ketchup and one
gallon of water to chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, chop chicken meat, discarding bones and skin.
When potatoes are tender, add chicken, mutton, pork, lemon,
salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and puree. Let
this simmer for 2 hours or longer, stirring often from the
bottom as it thickens. Makes 3 gallons.
Check Out This Cool Blog
 I
have the privilege of serving on the board of directors for
the Christian Authors Network with Susie Larson, author of
The Uncommon Woman. (Awesome nonfiction book. I
highly recommend it.) Susie is one of those women
whose written words are as full of God’s wisdom as her
spoken words. She lives her faith and God refreshes others
through her.
She updates her blog every
Wednesday, and her sole purpose is to nourish the souls of
her readers. Susie gives us intimate glimpses into her life
(for instance, through her introduction to her rescued dog,
Bubs, who I met in person last week), and we come away
enriched. I invite you to get to know my friend Susie Larson
on her blog
http://susielarsonblog.typepad.com/
Have you found a cool and
unique blog? I want to know about it! Send me an
e-mail
with the link, and maybe I’ll feature it in an upcoming
issue of “This ‘n That.”
Test Drive a Book!
Did you ever want to sample a book before you buy it? Now
you can! Visit the
Christian
Authors Network’s online book club, You’ve Got Books!
to read an excerpt from some of the most awesome new
releases in Christian publishing. CAN posts an excerpt from
a new book every week. Plus, you can sign up for CAN’s
mailing list to receive a monthly update listing the hottest
new releases in Christian fiction and nonfiction. Visit the
Christian
Authors Network’s Website.
And by the way – A Taste of Murder will be the
featured book on the fiction book club the week of October
6th.
Don't miss it!
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